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Imagine traveling 6,000 miles to view the history of one's heritage, faith, and homeland for the first or possibly the last time. Imagine also that you're 70, 80, or 90 years old, might need help with everyday tasks, and rely on a walker or wheelchair to get around. With such limitations, most people would balk at visiting the Holy Land, especially in these unsettling times, but ten elderly nursing home residents had the heart, desire, and courage to seize the opportunity because they carried within themselves a secret ingredient for success-chutzpah, the Yiddish word for nerve or supreme self-confidence.
Inspired by a Rosh Hashanah service last year, Daniel Reingold, executive vice-president of The Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale (New York), hit on a novel idea: He thought it would be wonderful to take a group of residents to Israel as a show of solidarity and an inspiration to others. "Our facility already shows its support for Israel by purchasing Israeli goods. We also set up an online flower shop where we buy flowers from Israel that families can give to residents. I immediately began thinking of all the reasons why this trip would be impossible," recalls Reingold. Dismissing all the negatives involved, Reingold started to plan his sales pitch.
Making the Impossible Possible
Key staff members thought Reingold had lost his mind when he presented his idea to them, and yet they were intrigued. The Hebrew Home's board of directors didn't flinch when he approached them with the idea. In fact, they were unanimously supportive and immediately offered seed money to get the project going. As word of this venture spread, donations were received from residents' families and other well-wishers outside the Hebrew Home community (The trip cost approximately $36,000, which was covered by donations). With the thumbs-up from staff and administration, and funding in place, the first-ever nursing home Chutzpah Mission was no longer a possibility; it was going to happen in March 2004.
"The first planning meeting was loaded with questions," Reingold remembers. Who can go? What if someone gets sick? Staff addressed every situation that might arise. Lists and logs were kept by everyone so a template for future excursions could be designed.
"All for One..."
To assess residents who...